The Tool Desk
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The commands and generic Zynq SD-boot procedure below follow AMD’s PetaLinux Tools Documentation: Reference Guide (UG1144), 2023.2. Board specifications are from Digilent’s Arty Z7 product page. The available documentation does not verify a ready-made Arty Z7 BSP for this release or a tested end-to-end image, so the hardware handoff and generated files must match your own design.
Identify your Arty Z7 variant first
Check the board label and revision before selecting or creating a hardware design. Digilent lists these two variants:
| Board | Zynq-7000 device |
|---|---|
| Arty Z7-10 | XC7Z010-1CLG400C |
| Arty Z7-20 | XC7Z020-1CLG400C |
Both boards include a microSD slot and a USB-UART bridge, which are relevant to the SD boot and serial-console workflow. A hardware description for one device or design should not be treated as interchangeable with the other.
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- Arty A7 comes in two FPGA variants: Arty A7-35T features Xilinx XC7A35TICSG324-1L. Arty A7-100T features the larger Xilinx XC7A100TCSG324-1.
- Internal clock speeds exceeding 450MHz, On-chip analog-to-digital converter (XADC), Programmable over JTAG and Quad-SPI Flash
- 256MB DDR3L with a 16-bit bus @ 667MHz, 16MB Quad-SPI Flash, USB-JTAG Programming circuitry, Powered from USB or any 7V-15V source
- 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, USB-UART Bridge
- 4 Switches, 4 Buttons, 1 Reset Button, 4 LEDs, 4 RGB LEDs, 4 Pmod connectors, shield connector
Install PetaLinux 2023.2 as a regular user
AMD’s 2023.2 guide prohibits installing or running PetaLinux as root. Its documented installer pattern is:
./petalinux-v<petalinux-version>-final-installer.run --dir <INSTALL_DIR>For a Zynq installation, AMD documents the ARM source selection with -p arm. Use the installer options and prerequisites specified for your release and host system; the command above is a pattern, not a complete host setup checklist. Do not move the PetaLinux installation after setup: its full path is stored in the Yocto environment file.
Rank #2
- Arty S7 comes in two FPGA variants: Arty S7-25 features Xilinx XC7S25-CSGA324. Arty S7-50 features the larger Xilinx XC7S50-CSGA324.
- Internal clock speeds exceeding 450MHz
- On-chip analog-to-digital converter (XADC)
- Programmable over JTAG and Quad-SPI Flash
- Powered from USB or any 7V-15V source
Create a project for the board’s actual hardware
The project needs to describe the Zynq processing system and programmable-logic design you intend to run. Create or configure it from a hardware handoff (XSA) or a board support package that matches both the board variant and the design. Verify the applicable project-creation and hardware-export steps against the matching Vivado and PetaLinux documentation.
The available sources do not confirm an exact Arty Z7 BSP for PetaLinux 2023.2, nor do they establish a verified Arty-specific command sequence for exporting hardware. Do not assume that a generic Arty project or another Zynq board’s BSP will work unchanged.
Rank #3
- Zybo Z7 comes in two APSoC variants: Zybo Z7-10 features Xilinx XC7Z010-1CLG400C. Zybo Z7-20 features the larger Xilinx XC7Z020-1CLG400C. Either variant also has the option to add the SDSoC voucher.
- A feature-rich, ready-to-use embedded software and digital circuit development board with a rich set of multimedia and connectivity peripherals to create a formidable single-board computer
- Built around the Xilinx Zynq-7000 AP SoC, with 650MHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor and DDR3 memory controller with 8 DMA channels
- On board user interfaces include 6 push buttons, 4 slide switches, 5 LEDs, 2 RGB LEDs, and more
- Expansion opportunities with six Pmod connector ports, over 30 FPGA I/O, four Analog capable 0-1.0V differential pairs to XADC, and more
Build the PetaLinux project
From the project directory, run:
petalinux-buildAMD says this builds the device tree, Zynq first-stage boot loader, U-Boot, Linux kernel, root filesystem, boot script, and required boot images. The build log is at <plnx-proj-root>/build/build.log; generated output is in <plnx-proj-root>/images/linux and /tftpboot. Inspect images/linux and use the artifacts that correspond to your project’s root-filesystem and boot configuration.
Prepare the SD card and copy the generated files
Partition the card for an ext4 root filesystem
AMD’s documented ext-rootfs layout uses a FAT32 first partition of at least 500 MB, with 4 MB of free space before it, followed by an ext4 partition for the root filesystem. AMD recommends aligning partitions on 4 MB boundaries. Use suitable administrative permissions for partitioning, formatting, and writing to the card.
Rank #4
- Arty Z7 comes in two FPGA variants: Arty Z7-10 features Xilinx XC7Z010-1CLG400C. Arty Z7-20 features the larger Xilinx XC7Z020-1CLG400C.
- Program on board, over JTAG, or boot with a microSD card
- Includes HDMI sink port (input), HDMI source port (output), PWM driven mono audio output, and a variety of user interfaces
- Expansion opportunities with a dual row chipKIT/Arduino connector and two Pmod host ports
- Free software with Vivado Design Suite (WebPACK Edition) and Peta Linux references on the Digilent GitHub
Stage files according to the project’s image configuration
In UG1144’s manual-copy procedure, copy BOOT.BIN, image.ub, and boot.scr from images/linux to the FAT partition, then extract rootfs.tar.gz onto the ext4 partition. The archive must be extracted into the root of that partition, preserving its directory structure.
AMD’s separate SD preparation procedure describes a different file set: BOOT.BIN, boot.scr, Image, and optionally ramdisk.cpio.gz.u-boot on FAT, alongside root-filesystem extraction. These are different image/configuration conventions, not a combined checklist. Follow the filenames and rootfs arrangement produced for your project and the boot script it uses; do not copy both lists blindly.
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- Product Category: Programmable Logic IC Development Tools Product: Development Boards Type: FPGA Tool Is For Evaluation Of: Arty Z7 Interface Type: Ethernet, USB Operating Supply Voltage: 7 V to 15 V Product Type: Programmable Logic IC Development Tools
Set SD boot and watch the serial console
- Connect the board’s USB-UART connection to your workstation and open a serial terminal at
115200baud. - Power off the board, set its boot mode to SD using the Arty Z7 manual for your exact board revision, and insert the prepared card.
- Power on the board and watch the serial terminal for boot messages.
AMD documents SD boot for Zynq-7000 devices, but the available sources do not establish the Arty Z7’s exact switch or jumper positions. Use the Arty Z7 manual rather than borrowing settings from another Zynq board. Digilent’s Arty Z7 product page identifies the board hardware; for hands-on background, Digilent’s My Embedded Linux Adventure — Intro to PetaLinux names Arty Z7 among its example boards.
Quick Recap
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